Rich Wingo announces candidacy for state House of Representatives seat

Rich Wingo, a former University of Alabama football player, on Tuesday announced that he will run as a Republican candidate for the Alabama House of Representatives seat in District 62 in 2014.

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By Ken RobertsCity Editor

Published: Tuesday, June 18, 2013 at 11:46 a.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, June 18, 2013 at 11:46 a.m.

TUSCALOOSA | Rich Wingo, a former University of Alabama football player, on Tuesday announced that he will run as a Republican candidate for the Alabama House of Representatives seat in District 62 in 2014.

Wingo, who played at UA under coach Paul W. "Bear Bryant" and went on to play for the NFL's Green Bay Packers, will run for the seat being vacated by John Merrill. Merrill has announced his intention to run for secretary of state.

"I came to a point in my life that doing nothing was no longer acceptable to me. How can I best serve the people of Tuscaloosa County? The only way that I know is to get busy and get to work," Wingo said in a news release announcing his candidacy.

Wingo served as the president of AIG Baker, a commercial development company, for 20 years. He now works for a United American Assurance, a group health insurance company in Tuscaloosa and is also the co-owner of Solid Rock, a residential construction company.

The Elkhart, Ind., native said that if elected, his top priorities will be:

<p>TUSCALOOSA | Rich Wingo, a former University of Alabama football player, on Tuesday announced that he will run as a Republican candidate for the Alabama House of Representatives seat in District 62 in 2014.</p><p>Wingo, who played at UA under coach Paul W. "Bear Bryant" and went on to play for the NFL's Green Bay Packers, will run for the seat being vacated by John Merrill. Merrill has announced his intention to run for secretary of state. </p><p>"I came to a point in my life that doing nothing was no longer acceptable to me. How can I best serve the people of Tuscaloosa County? The only way that I know is to get busy and get to work," Wingo said in a news release announcing his candidacy.</p><p>Wingo served as the president of AIG Baker, a commercial development company, for 20 years. He now works for a United American Assurance, a group health insurance company in Tuscaloosa and is also the co-owner of Solid Rock, a residential construction company.</p><p>The Elkhart, Ind., native said that if elected, his top priorities will be:</p><p><b>-</b> Quality jobs for Tuscaloosa County residents.</p><p><b>-</b> Investing in primary and secondary schools.</p><p><b>-</b> Improving road systems.</p><p><b>-</b> Supporting pro-business policies that encourage growth in Tuscaloosa's economy.</p><p>Wingo and his wife, Cheri, live in Tuscaloosa. They have two sons, Jake and Luke. He is a member, deacon and Sunday school teacher at First Baptist Church in Tuscaloosa.</p>